FairlandToy 1983: GI Joe KO Dynaman!

This is an ad for Hong Kong toy maker FairToy International. FairToy International makes various dolls, including one that strongly resembles Barter Toys  Dynaman. Dynaman is one of the more prolific (and fuzziest) GI Joe Knockoffs and ran under different names. He also made history by being the basis for the “Gay Bob” doll in 1977.

Fairland packaged the toy line to order from foreign distributors, as evidenced by the array of names on the various accessory packs. Another name would be “Johnny Strong” or even “Bruce.”  It might seem strange to see a company selling such products in 1983 but 12″ figure ranges like this had longer legs outside North America. 

Fairland also had their own Big Jim Knock Off, who had a popular Western Line in Europe for many years. These 10″ figures are simply called “West” and, according to my pal Steve Moore, are very cheaply made. I’ve seen that boxed horse a bunch of times, so this stuff hit our shores.

 Of course, they had their own Barbie Clone in Christina. Many of those outfits (especially the Western gear) look like straight-up copies of what Mattel was doing at the time. 

FairlandToy also created Adventure Man, a 2000s Knock Off of GI Joe that sold quite well. 

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